Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

Encore 81 - 8/7

This was my 10th trip to Vegas and this will be my first trip report. I enjoy reading everyone else's reports so much that I thought I would take a stab at it. I do not keep notes while on vacation and my memory for detail is flawed so I will just hit the highlights.

This was to be a reconnaissance trip of sorts. My 19 yr old son has a wish to turn 21 in Las Vegas. We visited Vegas as a family several times during the "family-friendly" era; however, not since he was 15. The coveted birthday is 18 months in the future and it was determined there is a need for a "fact-finding trip. That's how we justified it anyway We decided to accept an offer from Encore and so off we go for 7 days and 6 nights. Oh..yes...did I mention my birthday is Aug 2 so I would be forced to spend it in Vegas?

ENCORE
The last time my husband and I were in Vegas we gave some play to Wynn and have been receiving Wynncore offers ever since. The stars finally aligned allowing us to accept one from Encore.

Since there were three of us we stayed in a panoramic resort room with two queen beds and a strip view. A flawless room, really. Beautifully appointed and of course we have all heard of the fabulous Wynn beds and linens. Felt like sleeping in a cloud. The bedside panel with controls for lights, drapes, do not disturb notice has been mentioned by others but bears mentioning again. What a luxury to be able to do all that from the bed....especially the "do not disturb" notice. Bathroom with soaking tub and separate shower., double sinks, flat screen TV, separate WC, lots of marble and higher end showers, gels, lotions, etc.
I like the contemporary, browns, beige, taupes and black color scheme. The feel is very current and clean and I liked it. I also like Wynn's more traditional feel. Wonderful to have two such distinct options on one property.

I believe housekeeping services here were some of the best of any hotel in which I have stayed. Unobtrusive, efficient, accommodating and pleasant staff.

GAMBLING
Gambling was not the focus on this trip. My husband and I play video poker and were able to find favorable pay schedules from nickel on up. Hubby was smiled upon by the royal flush gods twice. The same gods ignored me We ech scored enough premium 4oak to keep things fun and fairly profitable.
I had read a lot about Encore's casino being divided into small, "intimate" areas. While there are a lot of beautiful pillars dividing the casino into different areas, I did not think they were small enough to be "intimate". You can easily scan the casino floor. I never got lost.

SHOWS
Lion King - a spectacular beauty of a show. Costuming/puppeteering is simply amazing. I think everyone knows the story so you are left to simply enjoy the wonder of "how did they do that?" Mandalay has a nice theater.

Divas - Frank Marino as Joan Rivers is quite good. He has been doing this show for 25 years and is currently the longest running headliner on the strip, which is something I did not realize. The divas vary and on the night we were there we saw:
Cher - the curly-haired version. Very good
Madonna - vougueing era. excellent
Liza - quite good
Mariah - meh
Bette Midler - exceptionally realistic
Beyonce - Joan did a catty introduction remarking how some divas become "big" stars. The male impersonator was HUGE. Hysterical!
Celine - not much love lost between Joan and Celine Impersonation was exaggeratedly cocky and funny as hell.
Diana Ross - good
Overall, a very entertaining show

The Rat Pack Is Back - We had seen this show when it was at The Greek Isle and before the split. While the impersonators are different, they were still quite good. Frank had the most realistic mannerisms and voice, Dean was spot on, Sammy just so-so, Joey Bishop was funny, and Marilyn was quite good. The nostalgic feel is still there and they play a video montage of the real Rat Pack back in the day. Lots of shots of 60's Vegas, Sand, Dunes, various celebrities, etc. prior to the show to set the mood. The Plaza however, is a sad, sad place now

Gordie Brown - a funny, funny show. Gordie is energetic, funny and his impersonations are generally quite good. His Michael Jackson had us in tears laughing. He ad libs with some audience members and is quick on his feet. A great show with tickets from Tix4Tonight.

MEALS
Terrace Point Cafe at Wynn - Ate here twice and both times were fantastic. They give sliders an entirely new meaning. In a good way

Society Cafe at Encore - Two breakfasts here were heavenly. Best pancakes and french toast of anywhere. And the warm pretzel sticks with that honey mustard butter are absolutely delicious.

Wazuzu at Encore - Hubby and son are sushi guys and went here for lunch one day. They gave it rave reviews saying it was the freshest, cleanest, most beautifully presented sushi they had ever had.

Casa Di Amore - off strip Italian. We went late....around 10:30. The place was still busy with most tables full and a singer entertaining. This is Italian comfort food at it's best! Pasta made daily in house, delicious and friendly service.

Hash House A GoGo - had dessert for dinner here and boy were we glad we did not order entrees. We are talking HUGE!! I have never had chocolate bread but somehow these people have made it into bread pudding!! Sinful.

Final Thoughts
- I have read on various forums how the Strip and Las Vegas in general has changed. For the better for some, for the worse for others. We saw it, too. Have the sidewalks on the east side of the Strip gotten smaller???? The sidewalk bars are maybe the reason it seemed uncomfortably tight and crowded. Also, I get claustrophobic around too much Ed Hardy ******-baggery and that was available in abundance.

- Never seemed to find the time for City Center. From afar, the skyline at that end of the strip looks like any other downtown city. Sort of sad. Sort of not.

- We visited M Resort. Very nice, laid-back vibe there. Would not mind a stay there.

- We visited Red Rock. I was underwhelmed, really. Seems like M Resort took the Red Rock idea and did it right.

- The Lobby Bar is the best place to sit with a drink around 1:00 AM and watch the club-goers going in. Even better to be there as they come out again The very best white cosmopolitan is made in this bar. Trust me

- I am going into the business of making black fabric for "little black dresses". Admittedly, while the amount required for each garment is minimal, the sheer volume of dresses needed for the young, club-going chickies will make me a billionaire.

- Encore is a fabulous property. The service really was flawless; from the restroom attendants to the reservation manager, wait staff to casino hosts. It appears as though everyone there wants your stay to be perfect. Oh, and I happen to love the red

kel - I hear you about hubby and me time in Vegas. We decided to allow the kid some input as he had not been in a few years and we wanted to see if Encore might be right as a home base for the birthday trip. Hubby and I are already planning another "research trip" alone lol. I know I am not the only one here who starts planning the next trip on the flight home!!

ant - While Encore and Wynn are quite similar in their level of service, quality of restaurants, etc. they do have a different "feel". Wynn has a bit more foot traffic, the decor is more traditional in the casino, hotel common areas and guest rooms. Encore is, of course, a newer property with a more contemporary, slick decor. The casino is quieter, almost serene I think. Until late at night when the clubs attract a very young 20's crowd. Even then it feels low-key and laid back.

We were there at the same time as you. I think you hit the nail on the head describing the difference in the feel of each. The casino in the Encore is almost spooky quiet, which is a shame. It could use more noise to drown out the dreadful, repetitive techno music played in every public space in the hotel.